I looked at them as one of the first options, but I believe it is limited to 30days abroad. Not sure how actively they enforce it, but it could leave me stuck if they cut me off after 30 days.

23rd Feb 2017

I think for that amount of data and good performance, you'd have to choose EE. They allow up to 15GB abroad, or at least when I signed up they did. I have no idea what their T&C's say about how long you can use it abroad, or how strongly they enforce it. I used it two months running without a problem.

Edit: It's a 12 month contract but depending on how important it is to you, the cost of the 12 months might be worth it.

Edited by: "dave80" 23rd Feb 2017

23rd Feb 2017

get three payg SIM cards.buy a couple top up one . if they cut you off. throw it away and top up another.

Original Poster

23rd Feb 2017

srp111

get three payg SIM cards.buy a couple top up one . if they cut you off. … get three payg SIM cards.buy a couple top up one . if they cut you off. throw it away and top up another.

That's quite a good plan and I guess works for any network that allows me to have unactivated cards. Thanks.

Original Poster

23rd Feb 2017

dave80

I think for that amount of data and good performance, you'd have to … I think for that amount of data and good performance, you'd have to choose EE. They allow up to 15GB abroad, or at least when I signed up they did. I have no idea what their T&C's say about how long you can use it abroad, or how strongly they enforce it. I used it two months running without a problem. Edit: It's a 12 month contract but depending on how important it is to you, the cost of the 12 months might be worth it.

Think they also do 30day contracts, thanks.

23rd Feb 2017

what about a sim from Spain maybe work out cheaper look at some online.

Original Poster

23rd Feb 2017

MynameisM

what about a sim from Spain maybe work out cheaper look at some online.

As long as it roams across Europe. Do you have any recommendations?

Original Poster

23rd Feb 2017

As suggested ee is only on the 12 month contract.

23rd Feb 2017

drumltd

As long as it roams across Europe. Do you have any recommendations?

​I have looked into it and seems spain has very expensive tarriffs compared to uk ones so prbably better off with the three option.

23rd Feb 2017

Will repeat previous suggestions for 3, but PAYG (not limited to max 30days continuous use abroad, unless t&c change whilst you are away!), which can be achieved via converting £20 credit into the All-in-One 20 Add-On which provides 300 UK mins + 3000 UK txts + 12GB data roaming to use for max 30days or until exhausted. You can stack them on one SIM before you go. Not convinced you can activate a 3 SIM whilst outside UK, so multiple SIMs may not be an option unless pre-activated without credit loaded and you can somehow whilst abroad add £20 credit then convert it to AIO 20 Add-on only when you need to, although that can be done for you via a buddy in the UK whilst you are abroad, or save 2mins from the expiring Add-On to allow yourself to topup/convert from abroad. But don't see the advantage of that rather than topping up one SIM multiple times? Don't bother buy the AYCE data option as max 12GB is available abroad during any one AIO Add-on period.three.co.uk/Sup…ffs

Original Poster

23rd Feb 2017

Thanks

AndyRoyd

Will repeat previous suggestions for 3, but PAYG (not limited to max … Will repeat previous suggestions for 3, but PAYG (not limited to max 30days continuous use abroad, unless t&c change whilst you are away!), which can be achieved via converting £20 credit into the All-in-One 20 Add-On which provides 300 UK mins + 3000 UK txts + 12GB data roaming to use for max 30days or until exhausted. You can stack them on one SIM before you go. Not convinced you can activate a 3 SIM whilst outside UK, so multiple SIMs may not be an option unless pre-activated without credit loaded and you can somehow whilst abroad add £20 credit then convert it to AIO 20 Add-on only when you need to, although that can be done for you via a buddy in the UK whilst you are abroad, or save 2mins from the expiring Add-On to allow yourself to topup/convert from abroad. But don't see the advantage of that rather than topping up one SIM multiple times? Don't bother buy the AYCE data option as max 12GB is available abroad during any one AIO Add-on period.http://www.three.co.uk/Support/pay_as_you_go/Phone_tariffs

Thanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring renewal and auto topup? Like you can with giffgaff?

23rd Feb 2017

drumltd

ThanksThanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring … ThanksThanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring renewal and auto topup? Like you can with giffgaff?

Sorry, don't know, but effectively similar service continuity can be achieved via pre-paying to stack the Add-On(s). Also possible for anybody with access to 3's UK PAYG topup tel line to add credit and convert to an Add-On on your behalf even if the recipient SIM is abroad at the time.

24th Feb 2017

drumltd

ThanksThanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring … ThanksThanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring renewal and auto topup? Like you can with giffgaff?

​yes you can. auto top up set amount each month

24th Feb 2017

drumltd

ThanksThanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring … ThanksThanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring renewal and auto topup? Like you can with giffgaff?

​yes you can. auto top up set amount each month

Original Poster

24th Feb 2017

Looks like three don't allow tethering on payg. Hmm there is always something when you think you've found the answer.

Original Poster

24th Feb 2017

According to the ee shop if we get a max plan on 30days with a WiFi thing, I'll get full use of the roaming data, however if I just get the SIM I'll only get it on a 12month plan. Bear in mind she's willing to lose the cost of the WiFi thing, I don't think this is a sales ploy.

Anybody know how to check, as once I'm through the tunnel I'm a bit stuffed if it's wrong.

Edited by: "drumltd" 24th Feb 2017

25th Feb 2017

drumltd

Thanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring renewal … Thanks Andy, do you know if you can put an add-on on a recurring renewal and auto topup? Like you can with giffgaff?

srp111

​yes you can. auto top up set amount each month

Interesting. Is it also possible to have the auto top-up auto converted to an add-on? And is the auto top-up every month or on exhaustion of the add-on's inclusive allowances? Thanks.

25th Feb 2017

drumltd

Looks like three don't allow tethering on payg. Hmm there is always … Looks like three don't allow tethering on payg. Hmm there is always something when you think you've found the answer.

There is a difference between what is permitted by t&c and what is functional. Tethering by wifi, bluetooth or cable is fully functional on a 3 handset SIM regardless of pay monthly or PAYG via an Android handset and the Foxfi app. The maximum tethering achievable via a single 3 PAYG add-on for "Feel-at-Home" roaming is 12GB (via the AIO20 add-on). Purchase further AIO20 add-ons for futher FAH roaming allowances of max 12GB each.

Original Poster

25th Feb 2017

Thanks Andy what about putting the SIM in a mifi box, can they detect that?

Another option from 3, is to buy a preloaded SIM, these are sold for broadband, include the data and can be used in any feel at home country. Not the cheapest option, but you get round the 60 day limit, by taking enough sims for the trip, and chucking them when they run out of data.

25th Feb 2017

I've used both the Three 321 PAYG and the free 200MB PAYG data sim by buying the addons, worked both in a MIFI and my Dual SIM phone. Was ok for browsing and emails, slow in Mallorca and Rome but very poor in northern France. From what I can tell Three uses some free mobile service in France.Got the now the Vodafone Red that has 4GB EU roaming and Spotify included through the mobiles.co.uk deal recently, seems to work better than Three that appears to throttle their roaming.

25th Feb 2017

drumltd

Thanks Andy what about putting the SIM in a mifi box, can they detect … Thanks Andy what about putting the SIM in a mifi box, can they detect that?Another option from 3, is to buy a preloaded SIM, these are sold for broadband, include the data and can be used in any feel at home country. Not the cheapest option, but you get round the 60 day limit, by taking enough sims for the trip, and chucking them when they run out of data.

No personal experience of using 3 SIM in a mifi when roaming; poster above suggests OK. If functional, it would be wise not to attempt to use a 3 handset SIM in a 3-branded mifi as 3 may block it just as they would with that combination in UK. My buddy has previously hit over 100 continuous days in US without issue, with caveat that the PAYG SIM was extensively used in UK before that trip. Not clear if 3 actively enforce its stated 60 continuous days limit now but possibly wise to accept it might and so take a second SIM that has been pre activated and pre topped up with £20 in UK and convert to AIO20 as required. When roaming, it may be wise to convert the second SIMs £20 topup to an AIO20 via another source (first SIM?) rather than the second SIM itself to avoid part of the second SIMs £20 topup being used at standard roaming costs and so dropping the credit below £20. All this may sound complicated but is common sense once the entire concept is grapsed.